in fact, the seedlings like it hot and moist, but when good flower quality is sought, 
a narrower temperature range is necessary. 
WATERING 
Though there are many refinements to the art of watering orchid plants; 
one basic bit of instruction to the beginner is by far the most important. When 
you water your plants, be sure that the Osmunda is thoroughly wet; don't go 
half way. The second part of this basic rule is to be sure that the plant is dry 
before watering. It is good practice to always let any plant go for a day or so 
longer without water when there is any doubt as to whether water should be 
applied. The only harm that can come from delaying watering will be a slight 
shriveling of the back bulbs. These will plump up again as soon as the plant has 
been given a good soaking. Always bear in mind that there are variations in this 
rule such as the watering of young seedlings. These plants must not be permitted 
to run too dry or they are apt to suffer a check in growth. Seedlings as well as 
mature plants benefit from having their leaves sprayed during the middle of the 
day in warm weather. Dampening between the pots of mature plants at mid- 
morning or during the heat of the day is also very beneficial. Let us repeat a 
warning against over watering. Many beginners lose the roots on their plants 
and frequently lose the plants entirely through over watering. Cattleya roots are 
thick and fleshy and capable of absorbing and holding a considerable amount of 
water within themselves. This condition invites rotting of the roots if the potting 
media is continually kept too wet. The amounts of water supplied must be reg- 
ulated to the requirements of the plant. When the plant is actively producing new 
growth or flowers, more moisture is necessary. A drying out of the Osmunda be- 
tween waterings encourages the production of new roots. 
With respect to the care of newly potted orchids, we must bear in mind that 
in most cases repotting is quite a shock to the plant. Our concern then is to do 
whatever we can to assist the plant in getting re-established. Newly potted plants 
should be put in a well shaded location with the temperature and humidity kept 
higher than normal if it is at all possible. Plants should be sprayed overhead 
several times a day and run dry at the roots. The principle here is that if we run 
a plant dry at the roots, it will induce rooting where if we keep it wet we promote 
top growth. This is a good rule to keep in mind in watering all other orchids also. 
As soon as the plant shows new root development and a return to normal con- 
ditions, watering can be restored as usual. 
MEDIA FOR GROWING CATTLEYAS 
Cattleyas have been grown in gravel, various composts, Redwood fibre, 
sphagnum moss, osmundine, and other fern products. The Cattleya has proven 
remarkably adaptable and can be grown with fairly good success in almost any 
type of media provided it is moist enough to admit the air and solid enough to 
hold moisture, and to supply the plant with the necessary nutrients. We are quite 
emphatic about recommending osmundine as the preferred growing media. Even 
though it may be more expensive initially and the potting with osmundine requires 
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